The Tombstone BBQ on the Canyons side of Park City Mountain Resort will see an upgrade after this season. That was one of the capital projects announced by Vail Resorts at Friday’s quarterly update to shareholders.
In his quarterly update to investors, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz noted Friday that over the last 10 years, the company has invested more than $1.2 billion. For next winter, the company will spend more than $175 million with the bulk of investments focused on getting the Colorado resorts open sooner with more terrain.
For the company’s sole Utah resort, money will be invested into the Tombstone Grill at the base of Tombstone chairlift. For years, the dining area has been makeshift. This summer’s renovation will include seating for up to 50 guests, indoor restrooms, a beer bar and a full kitchen to allow for the use of reusable silverware.
According to a statement from Park City Mountain Resort his upgrade, is the last major one of the resorts on-mountain restaurant renovations.
Katz also announced that next season guests will be able to access the mountain faster with new technology allowing those who purchased lift tickets in advance to bypass the ticket window entirely at its 17 North American resorts, using handheld mobile technology.
Also, next winter, season pass holders or their guest can pre-purchase Ski With a Friend or Buddy benefit tickets online. Meanwhile, the company reported a jump of 21 percent in Epic Pass sales through December 2nd, with revenues rising 13 percent, compared to a year ago. Total sales are expected to exceed 925,000 passes.
Sales of the Epic Pass were boosted by the new military pass. The company reported sales of 100,000 passes to military members, retirees, and their families.
Excluding sales of military passes to new purchasers who were not pass holders last year, season pass sales increased about eight percent and 10 percent in dollars year over year. Katz said they saw solid growth in renewing pass holders and a stable renewal rate outside the Lake Tahoe and Utah Markets, which saw a modest decline.
